9/01/2008

"We must recognize that this short life can neither be ennobled or enriched by hatred or revenge. Our lives on this planet are too short, and the work to be done too great, to let this spirit flourish any longer in our land.

Of course we cannot banish it with a program nor with a resolution. But we can perhaps remember, even if only for a time, that those who live with us are our brothers and sisters; that they share this same short moment of life; that they seek, as we do, nothing but the chance to live out their lives in purpose and happiness, winning what satisfaction and fulfillment they can.

Surely this bond of common faith, this bond of common good, can begin to teach us something. Surely we can learn at least to look at those around us as fellow men and fellow women.

Surely we can begin to work a little harder to bind up the wounds among us, and to become in our hearts countrymen once again."

-- Robert F. Kennedy

City Club of Cleveland, April 5, 1968 (the day after the assassination of Dr. King)(as quoted by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend on C-Span's American Perspectives).